[Durham INC] Draft Nov/December minutes

[Pat Carstensen]

Please let me know about additions or corrections.  thanks, pat


November/December Delegate Meeting of the InterNeighborhood Council of Durham

Golden Belt

December 10, 2019



Attending the meeting were:
Neighborhoods

Cross Counties – Pat Carstensen

Downing Creek – Cort Bennett

Forest Hills – Matt McDowell, Ellen Pless, Chrissie

Long Meadow – Pakis Bessias

Northgate Park – Debra Hawkins

Old North Durham – Peter Katz, John Martin

Old West Durham – Vicky Welch

Trinity Park – Philip Azar

Trappers Creek / Greymoss – Will Wilson

Woodcroft – Jose Sandoval



Visitors

Annette Smith – DPR and Durham Parks Foundation

Chanel Chambers



President Will Wilson welcomed those present, and folks introduced themselves.  There were no adjustments to the agenda.



The October minutes needed to be corrected to add Rochelle’s name to EHC update, the that part of the minutes should read, “Expanding Housing Choices – John, Phil and Rochelle are working on ‘implementation / measures,’ are getting a file of housing changes affected by EHC, and are meeting with Preservation Durham.  The overall thrust of the efforts is around making housing people-centric.”  With this change, Phil moved and Vicky seconded to approve minutes, and this passed.



The Outreach Committee was formed to get more neighborhoods / neighborhood-groups involved in INC.  One idea mentioned was that we probably should use the website better by, for example, posting agendas and minutes, addressing frequently asked questions, and making clearer what the expectations are for joining.  Phil will try to convene a meeting over coffee to talk about the effort.



Engage Durham / Comp Plan update -- The public sessions were very well attended.  The survey will be open until January 30, asking respondents what is on their minds and what they see in an ideal future Durham; we will send out the link on the list-serve.  A letter came out from Planning saying they are responding to raised concerns. Pat said that we might organize neighborhood hikes to look at opportunities and challenges that the Comprehensive Plan could address in specific locations.  There is also apparently at least a discussion of a separate outreach to developers from the one to the public; it would be a concern if the developers got to shape the plan first.



There was a Board of Adjustment item about allowing a development of more than 5000 square foot without a development plan; this may be just a one-off but if more of these come up as ways to get around getting real public scrutiny, we will need to watch it.  There is an opening on the Board of Adjustment; Phil moved and Matt seconded a motion that if Will is OK with it, Jose will send a letter supporting Will for open position on the Board of Adjustment.  This passed.



Expanding Housing Choices -- John and Rochelle met with Preservation Durham to talk about what measures of EHC progress should be gathered and reported on.



Candidate Forum -- The primary is March 3.  Filing ends December 20th. Jose would like to do a forum February 6 or February 13 for Board of County Commissioners.  Jose will reach out to PTA about working together on a School Board forum. Pat moved to authorize Jose to move ahead with planning a Board of Commissioners candidate forum, allowing up to $500 in expenses; Pete seconded and it passed.



Neighborhood and Organization Updates

  *   Parks and Recreation -- The new Play More is out, Santa Paws is Friday, the Parade and Holiday Fun Fest are on Saturday. Geminid meteor shower is Saturday night; there is a new astronomy pad at West Point on the Eno, and Parks is partnering with Morehead Planetarium on a “watch the stars” event.
  *   Forest Hills – The land use amendment is at council on Monday to make future land use map match what is built there.
  *   Neighborhoods are mostly celebrating their Night of Lights this Sunday.



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